Lindemann, C., Enders, P., Brinkkoetter, P. T. and Voelker, L. A. (2021). Crystalline deposits in the cornea and various areas of the kidney as symptoms of an underlying monoclonal gammopathy: a case report. BMC Nephrol., 22 (1). LONDON: BMC. ISSN 1471-2369

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Abstract

Background Plasma cell dyscrasias (PCD) are characterized by an abnormal production of intact monoclonal immunoglobulins or parts such as heavy or light chains. In most cases, the monoclonal protein (also termed paraprotein) is produced by a clonal plasma cell population. The production of monoclonal proteins can result in deposits of various types and localization depending on the type, amount, and electrochemical properties of the paraprotein. One histopathologic presentation, albeit rare, are crystalline deposits. They can form in various organs and hence cause a wide spectrum of symptoms. Case presentation A 49-year-old man presented to the emergency department with eyestrain and foreign body sensation after overhead drilling. Examination of the eyes revealed crystalline deposits in the cornea of both eyes. After additional diagnostic testing, deposits were attributed to free light chains. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) was diagnosed according to serum electrophoresis and immunofixation. Four years later, new onset of proteinuria was detected. A percutaneous biopsy of the kidney showed severe light chain podocytopathy with secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and light chain proximal tubulopathy (LCPT). In these lesions, crystalline deposits identical to the corneal deposits were found in ultrastructural and immunofluorescent analysis. The patient was diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS), and a plasma cell directed therapy was initiated. Conclusions PCD can present with a wide array of symptoms and are notoriously difficult to diagnose. Extrarenal manifestations such as crystalline deposits in the cornea are one possible manifestation. The case presented herein emphasizes the notion that extrarenal paraprotein deposits warrant a thorough search for the underlying clonal disease.

Item Type: Journal Article
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCIDORCID Put Code
Lindemann, C.UNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Enders, P.UNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Brinkkoetter, P. T.UNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Voelker, L. A.UNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
URN: urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-574359
DOI: 10.1186/s12882-021-02309-x
Journal or Publication Title: BMC Nephrol.
Volume: 22
Number: 1
Date: 2021
Publisher: BMC
Place of Publication: LONDON
ISSN: 1471-2369
Language: English
Faculty: Unspecified
Divisions: Unspecified
Subjects: no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:
KeywordsLanguage
Urology & NephrologyMultiple languages
URI: http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/57435

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